Dr. Pauline Blendick Ed. D

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Pauline Blendick (nee Penny)
24 April 1936 - 14 October 2022

Passed away peacefully in her sleep the evening of October 14th, 2022. Preceded in death by
her husband, Walter. Loving mother of Adam (Jackie). Proud grandmother of Katherine and
Rebecca. Further survived by her brother, Graham, as well as other relatives, and good friends.
Pauline will be fondly remembered by family, friends and colleagues as a beloved mother,
renowned educator, avid reader, world traveller, and news junkie. She is surely reunited with
the love of her life, Walter, and is grinning down at the beautiful life she helped to build for her
family.
Pauline Penny was born in London’s east end, the first Daughter of Violet, a homemaker and
Stan, a gas-fitter. She spent her formative years living through the London Blitz, World War II,
and the Rationing that followed.

Pauline was the first in her family to attend University to become a teacher. After several years
teaching in London and Libya, she answered the call. She left behind the country that was
always home to her to forge a new life in Canada.
At age 26, after settling in Toronto, she met her future husband, Walter Blendick. They quickly
bonded over a shared zest for adventure uncommon for both prairie hayseeds and East End
commoners. They fell in love immediately, despite appearing as an ‘opposites attract’ couple.
Pauline and Walter were more alike than at first glance. Together they travelled the world and
lived a full life before choosing to settle into an Etobicoke bungalow in March of 1974. Together
they made that house into a home.
Career-wise, Pauline fought for every achievement, defying gender norms at every turn. When
she was told that a Vice-Principal was as high as women could advance in the then Metropolitan
Separate School Board, she fought alongside other women to earn the right to become
Principal, and became one of the first in Toronto. She further developed her craft through her
earning of a Master of Education and then a Doctorate.
Somewhere in and amongst all that insanity, she made time for a son, and filled every corner of
that once-bungalow with the warmth of a Mother’s Love.
The Arts were always encouraged, she ran music programs for the children she taught and was
happiest when singing or sitting down to the piano she imported from Harrods. She would
continue this habit until the end and would sing to her granddaughters, Adam, care workers, or
whomever she came across!

She was fun. Never angry. Always made time to tuck young Adam in each night and refusing to
go to sleep until she knew teen/adult Adam made it home safe from whatever adventure he got
up to with his friends.

Unfortunately, Pauline knew her share of tragedy. At a young age, she lost her baby sister. She
also lost both her parents before her son was born. In more recent years, she suffered the loss
of her older brother, Bryan, and her long-time husband, Walter.

Her love of family and her steadfast faith in God was merely an amplification of her lack of
bitterness and steadfast gratitude for every day we have on Earth. She never complained about
her lot, but never settled for less than, either. She never settled. She loved with every fibre, and
was gentle to a fault.

She was most happy when she could see that Adam was happy. She will be remembered in the
many life lessons she passed on - more than any parenting book ever could - on how to be the
best parent possible.

In her last years, what was once looked at as forgetfulness a decade earlier had officially
become dementia. And after the death of Walter in July 2020, Adam became even closer to his
mother despite the distance her illness creates. At times, this was heartbreaking, Adam was was happy. She will be remembered in the many life lessons she passed on - more than any parenting book ever could - on how to be the best parent possible.

In her last years, what was once looked at as forgetfulness a decade earlier had officially
become dementia. And after the death of Walter in July 2020, Adam became even closer to his
mother despite the distance her illness creates. At times, this was heartbreaking, Adam was not
recognized as her son. However, somewhere inside, Pauline was aware that he was someone
she knew, loved, and trusted. Whether he was mistaken for Walter, or her brother, Graham,
Pauline always greeted Adam with her beaming smile and never wanted to let go of my hand
when it was time to return to his own children. One thing the disease never managed to take
away was her ability to show Adam that he was the light of her life, and that love was present
until the end.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer Society of Canada would be appreciated.
Visitation and Service details are below.

If accommodations are needed, there are several hotels just east of the Funeral Home, where
Hwy 7 and the 400 meet.